We met in May 2015 while working at a restaurant called Black & Blue in Rochester, New York. Conor was finishing college at St. John Fisher, and Leandra had just picked up a summer job while home for the season. Almost immediately, we knew we needed to be in each other’s lives. I laughed at his bad (depending on who you ask) jokes and he helped me be more present. We spent that whole summer together learning about each other, watching New Girl, & Conor testing out his chef skills.

 Not long after, Conor visited me while I was living abroad in Belgium. We traveled to Copenhagen together, where we famously lost my second-ever camera in a cab, and somehow only grew closer through it all. We stayed deeply connected and close friends for nearly four years before finally deciding to date.

 After a few months of long distance between Baltimore and Charlotte, where Conor was living for work, we hated being apart and decided to move in together in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2021, we followed a shared dream and moved to New York City. We’ve called Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, and now Gowanus home, and have completely fallen in love with Brooklyn.

 We feel so lucky to have really gotten to grow up together, to have been by each others sides for the hardest challenges and biggest wins, it’s been such a blessing to get to fall in love your best friend.

 We got engaged in December 2024, on our five-year anniversary weekend, with an unforgettable proposal at The Plaza Hotel, thanks to some very sneaky planning by my Maid of Honor, Mary Appleby.

 We’re endlessly grateful for the life we’ve built together and so excited for everything ahead.

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